School Mergers - Teacher FAQs

Q. Will merged schools have “Fresh Start” status?
A. No. The normal transfer and reassignment process will be followed.

Q. Will teachers from the school ending operations automatically move to the new location?
A. If all students in either the school ending operations or one grade move to the merged school, the teachers in the “closing” schools or grade will follow the students to the school.

If the merger results in more teachers than available positions, the normal surplusing process in Article XIV, Section C of the MEA agreement will be followed.
If either the students at the school or students in a grade level are transferred to more than one merged school or other locations, the teachers from the closing school will be surplused.

Q. How will my assignment be determined at my new location?
A. The receiving principal will assess the needs of the building and will make the determination on where teachers will be assigned.

Q. When two schools merge, what options will teachers have if they do not want to go to the new school?
A. Teachers will have the option of participating in the voluntary transfer process if they want to be considered for a position at a location other than the consolidated school.

Teachers who are surplused as a result of a merger are strongly encouraged to participate in the voluntary transfer process.
If surplused teachers are unable to secure a position through the voluntary transfer process, they will participate and secure a position through a surplus teacher placement process facilitated by the Department of Human Resources.

Q. As a surplused teacher, will I have access to vacancies before they are posted through the voluntary transfer process?
A. No. Surplused teachers have the option to secure a position through the voluntary transfer process.

Q. What happens if there is a reduction based on enrollment for the 2005-06 school year?
A. If there is a reduction in positions based on student enrollment projections at the merged school, the normal staff reduction process will be followed.

Q. If I am surplused and accept a new position, when will I have an opportunity to transfer through the voluntary transfer process?
A. If you are surplused, accepting a new assignment will not be considered a voluntary transfer.

You will still be eligible to participate in the voluntary transfer process within the same timeline as if your status was a non-surplus employee.
Teachers who receive a voluntary transfer shall not be eligible for another voluntary transfer for period of three (3) years.